There is currently no open grant opportunities through this program.

About Jenny's Heroes Canada, and the Jenny Jones Foundation

Jenny Jones is best known for hosting the nationally syndicated talk show "Jenny Jones,” but her resume includes many careers including waitress, bookkeeper, temp worker, fashion model, caterer, comedian, musician, singer, songwriter, author, food blogger, and philanthropist. The Jenny Jones Foundation was established in 2005 as a means to provide assistance to those who are underserved. In 2008 Jones established "Jenny's Heroes", a program where she committed close to two million dollars to be given to individuals who used it to improve their communities. After choosing one hundred Heroes and covering all fifty states, Jones concluded the "Jenny's Heroes" program, but she continues to help communities in need. In 2016, Jenny donated $200,000 to fund a new, state-of-the-art playground in her hometown of London, Ontario. The following year, Jenny made a $50,000 donation to My Sister’s Place, a London shelter that provides services to all women without judgement. And, since 2018, Jenny has provided close to $200,000 worth of important safety equipment and supplies to support 22 volunteer fire departments all across Ontario. To learn more, visit Jenny's Heroes Canada's website at https://www.jennysheroescanada.com/

The 2020 Jenny’s Heroes Canada Ontario Fire Service Equipment Grant recipients have been selected!

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Jenny's Heroes Canada Ontario Fire Service Equipment Grant. But before we do, we'd like to thank all of the departments that submitted their grant applications. We received over 40 submissions, with six deserving departments receiving a combined amount of just over $50,000! We want to thank Jenny Jones and her foundation for donating over $250,000 to Ontario's volunteer fire departments since the start of this partnership!

Two years ago, the Jenny Jones Foundation reached out to the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) with an idea. The Jenny Jones Foundation wanted to provide help and support for those who help and support the rest of us, and with that idea, Jenny's Heroes Canada was formed, and the Ontario Fire Service Equipment Grant was born. Since then, Jenny has donated $200,000 to 22 volunteer fire departments across Ontario helping to purchase everything from a used 4x4 3/4 ton truck with an equipment cab, to bunker gear, to 'Jaws of Life', scene lights, radio repeaters, and so much more.

Thank you Jenny! And thank you to all the departments for submitting applications!

Jenny committed to donating up to $50,000 for the 2020 grant period, and we're pleased to announce that she once again increased the amount over her stated goal to $51,726, with six new departments receiving important safety equipment.

Jenny reached out directly to those who were selected and gave them the good news. In her own words, "I was privileged again today to call six Ontario Fire Chiefs with some good news," said Jenny. "They will all be receiving the equipment they requested to keep their volunteers and communities safe. It's my way of showing that I appreciate how much they are giving of themselves for the good of their communities." said Jenny Jones.

OAFC President, Chief Cynthia Ross Tustin expressed her gratitude for Jenny Jones, Jenny's Heroes Canada, and the support they've provided Ontario's fire service.

"On behalf of the OAFC, I want to express just how grateful we are for Jenny, and Jenny's Heroes Canada. Without question, this has been one of the most successful partnerships in OAFC history." noted President Ross Tustin. “In these unprecedented times, ensuring the safety of our frontline firefighters is more important than ever, and the money Jenny has donated will directly help keep them safe. The extra funds will make a world of difference to the departments that received a grant. Thank you Jenny's Heroes Canada and thank you Jenny!"

Congratulations to the following departments for being selected as a recipient for the 2020 Jenny’s Heroes Canada Ontario Fire Service Equipment Grant!

Fire Department	Amount	Equipment	Need
Schreiber Fire Department	$1,785	Replacement Rescue Saw	To replace an aging rescue saw.
Perth Fire	$6,000	Rapid Deployment Craft	Key equipment for ice water rescue. The current equipment is old and dated.
Tyendinaga Township	$9,600	3 LifePak 500 AED	The departments current LifePaks have been discontinued for over 10-years, making replacement parts and repairs extremely difficult and expensive.
Township of O'Connor	$12,225	New Radio Equipment - 12 Motorola Portable Radios	Current equipment is old and in short supply. Not all first responders have radios, and this will help decrease communication gaps.
Hanover Fire Department	$6,568	6 Water Rescue Suits	Current equipment leaks and hinders responders ability to rescue effectively.
Horton Fire Department	$15,548	7 Structural Helmet, 5 Structural Turnout Gear, 6 Structural FF Boots.	The department has previously deferred the purchase of safety equipment to ensure purchases are conducted by expiry dates.

We would like to thank Jenny's Heroes Canada, Jenny Jones, all the departments that submitted applications, and also congratulate the 26 departments that have received a grant through this program. We promised to continue to work with Jenny, and other organizations, to seek more grant opportunities for our members.

The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs is excited that Jenny's Heroes Canada has decided to support Ontario's volunteer fire departments by offering a grant opportunity for 2020!

2020 has certainly been unprecedented due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Normal, is no longer normal. Our first responders have faced many challenges due to the pandemic which has changed how we operate and respond to emergencies. Concerns on staffing, PPE, and updating standard operating procedures based on best practices to ensure the safety of our personnel has been at the forefront of all of our fire services during the past few months. It certainly has put additional pressures and strains on our fire departments. This is why we are happy to announce that Jenny’s Heroes Canada has confirmed the 2020 Fire Service Equipment Grant, which will be opening on June 1!

In July of 2018, the OAFC and Jenny Jones launched the first Jenny’s Heroes Canada Ontario Fire Service Equipment Grant to support volunteer fire services in Ontario. There was an overwhelming response from departments all across Ontario. Both the OAFC and Jenny were amazed at the incredible response and participation in such an exciting opportunity. After a final review and based on the significant need identified through the application process, Jenny decided to increase the amount of her Jenny’s Heroes Canada grant to $50,000 from the original amount of $25,000, offering grants to six departments who purchased an array of equipment to assist in their public safety efforts.

Since reaching out to the OAFC in 2018, Jenny has donated nearly $200,000 to 22 volunteer fire departments across Ontario helping to purchase everything from a used 4x4 3/4 ton truck with an equipment cab, to bunker gear, from 'Jaws of Life', to scene lights, from radio repeaters to so much more. Thank you, Jenny!

Jenny expressed her gratitude to our first responders when announcing the 2020 grant. “I’m even more aware today of the sacrifices made by firefighters and volunteers and it’s an honour for me to help keep them safe,” said Jenny. “I am thrilled to offer more grants to my beloved Ontario heroes.”

About the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs

The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) was established in 1952 to lead innovation and excellence in public and life safety. To achieve this, we provide a recognized, authoritative voice for all matters relating to the management and delivery of fire and emergency services in Ontario. The OAFC represents more than 700 municipal chief fire officers from across Ontario. These chief officers are ultimately responsible, by statute, for the management and delivery of fire, rescue and emergency response to the province’s 13 million residents.

2020 Equipment Grant Application Process & Information - SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Jenny’s Heroes Canada’s goal is to help small, volunteer firefighter-based departments purchase gear, equipment and/or technology to assist them in providing emergency first response in their community. Grants can be up to $25,000.

The 2020 grant submission is open from Monday, June 1, 2020 and closes on Friday, June 26, 2020. Grant applications will be reviewed and selected based on needs and impact to the local community by a validation committee from the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and shared with Jenny’s Heroes Canada.

To be eligible and considered for the equipment grant, you must meet the following criteria:

You must be a fire department in the Province of Ontario (either municipal or be regulated by a fire services board) whose full complement of suppression firefighters are volunteer-based. For greater clarity, the department can have full time administrative staff, however, ALL suppression staff must be volunteers.
Have an annual budget less than $1,000,000.
Obtain support from your municipal chief administrative officer and/or fire services board as well as the fire chief.
Complete the application form in full.
Agree to the terms and conditions of the funding request.

How to submit - SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

All applications and supporting documentation for the 2020 grant must be submitted no later than Friday, June 26, 2020. Submissions will be accepted via email, fax or mail. If your supporting documentation is too large to submit via email, please contact us and we will provide you with a link where you can upload your submission. The successful recipient will be selected by Friday, July 10, 2020.

Please send your submission to the attention of:

Jenny’s Heroes Canada 2020 Equipment Grant

C/o Michelle O’Hara, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs

520 Westney Road South, Unit 22, Ajax, Ontario L1S 6W6

Email: michelle.ohara@oafc.on.ca

Fax: 905-426-3032

Questions regarding the Jenny’s Heroes Canada Equipment Grant can be sent to Mark Tishman by email to mark.tishman@oafc.on.ca or to Michelle O’Hara at michelle.ohara@oafc.on.ca